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Act boldly
About
FAMA
Our story
The story of Fama Media Group starts with its founder, Alex Ammohostianos, who was born in Cyprus, raised in England, and moved to the United States where he had a decades long career in the world of acting, particularly in Greek and American theater productions. Alex has had a successful internet talk show in Cyprus where he discusses much of the tense geopolitical climate in the region and blends satire with real-world perspectives. His passion for political satire has influenced his own original productions, such as Lysistrata Whitehouse, an improv-fueled show.
Alex has been serving the Astoria community for decades by training actors in theater, film, TV, and more, in the Thespis Theater in Astoria, Queens. He’s loved by the community for keeping the spirit of theater alive, particularly in the Greek-American community. Now, he has decided to take his passion for acting a step further with Fama Media Group, a media brand that trains actors and artists to step directly into real productions with a rigorous training program taught by industry professionals in theater and film. Alex doesn’t work with teachers; he works with actual directors and producers who happen to teach. The real world experience not only gives students the confidence to perform in real productions, but it also gives them access to industry knowledge, a network, and a family.
Mission
Our mission is to empower aspiring actors from all walks of life through comprehensive training across theater, film, and television so they can discover their own creativity, voice, and confidence to succeed on stage and beyond.
Vision
Our vision is to redefine the artistic landscape by becoming a leading innovator in performing arts. We aspire to blend together old and new ways of storytelling to inspire a new generation of artists to explore and express their creativity across mediums. By offering fresh perspectives and retaining a commitment to excellence, we aim to establish ourselves as a pivotal force in today’s cultural dialogue, transforming how art is perceived and experienced.
Core Values
Holistic Knowledge
Knowledge is the foundation of everything. Actors need a mix of classroom lessons and on stage performances in order to truly understand the craft and get the best possible experience. To act a character, an actor needs to learn a character through understanding and analyzing text until it is second nature.
Unapologetic Creation
Taking the knowledge you gain from the classroom, we believe in being on stage as much as possible, taking part in all kinds of exercises, performances, and creations - whether that is from teachers or even material you create. We put no restrictions or labels on any students because actors are creators at the end of the day.
Bold Innovation
With the modern world, there is much to talk about and so many different ways to talk about it - we believe that the modern world holds infinite possibilities for performing arts and we want to be a pioneer of changing how the world experiences arts and media.
What No Other Acting Class Delivers
You are apart of an original short film at the end of the semester
This film is featured in a film festival
You get IMBD credits as a legit actor
What No Other Theater Class Delivers
You are in a real play at the end of the semester in front of a real audience
Teacher is an actual director with multiple productions under her belt
You study classics in depth and get an accelerated course in just one year (two semesters)
Meet the Teachers:
We specialize in theatrical, cinematic, television, and musical productions, serving as a hub dedicated to nurturing creativity and hosting artistic excellence. With a wealth of experience and countless productions under our belt, our students benefit from exceptional opportunities to learn and grow through our own original productions and collaborations with industry professionals. We even organize and host poetry nights, literary events, art exhibitions, and book presentations.
Manoli Ioannidis
With over 15 years of active industry experience across major network television, streaming platforms, and feature films, Manoli brings an extensive, practical understanding of the modern entertainment ecosystem to the classroom.
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Elite Creative Collaborations
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Acclaimed Directors: Collaborated on set with visionary, award-winning directors including Steven Soderbergh, Vince Gilligan, and Mike Flanagan.
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Notable Co-Stars: Shared scenes and worked alongside top-tier industry talent such as Colin Farrell, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Dwayne Johnson, Queen Latifah, and Scarlett Johansson.
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Professional Foundations & Training
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William Esper Studio (New York City): Graduate of the prestigious two-year professional acting conservatory, building a rigorous foundation in the Meisner technique, stage combat, movement, and vocal work.
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University of New Orleans: Master of Business Administration (MBA). This distinct executive credential allows Manoli to bridge elite artistic craft with a deep understanding of the business of acting—equipping students to navigate contracts, industry economics, and career self-management.
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Union Affiliation: Professional member of SAG-AFTRA, ensuring all guidance aligns with contemporary industry standards, professional set etiquette, and union realities.
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Multilingual Performance: Fully fluent in English and Spanish, with conversational proficiency in Italian and Portuguese. This offers students a sophisticated, cross-cultural approach to text analysis, character development, and working in international markets.
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Audition-to-Set Continuity: A proven track record of converting high-stakes auditions into recurring and guest-star professional bookings across major networks, giving students a blueprint for the realities of the casting process.
Michael Finan
Michael is a five-time Emmy Award-winning producer, director, and acting instructor with more than 30 years of experience in film, television, and corporate production. Throughout his career, he has directed professional actors, first-time performers, executives, patients, physicians, and everyday people—helping each feel comfortable and authentic in front of the camera.
His directing work has earned five Emmy Awards and includes documentaries, commercials, healthcare campaigns, historical films, and branded content for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions.
As an acting instructor, Michael brings the perspective of a working director into every class. He encourages students to watch great performances with a director's eye, understand why they work, and then apply those lessons to their own performances. His classes emphasize observation, listening, authenticity, and the subtle choices that create truthful, compelling performances on camera.
Ionna Katsarou
Ionna is a theater director, actor and acting instructor originally from Greece. For more than twenty-five years, she has been creating theater that brings people together through collaboration, imagination, and meaningful storytelling. She is the Co-Artistic Director of Eclipses Group Theater NY(www.egtny.com), an award-winning company whose productions have received several grant awards supporting innovative and community-centered work. She is also a founding member of Aktis Aeliou Art Theater in Greece, which was honored as the Best Regional Theater in Greece by the Greek Critics Association in 2006.
Her work as a director and actor has been presented in Greece, the United States, Canada, and Egypt, spanning both classical and contemporary theater. She has also had the pleasure of collaborating with the American Academy of Dramatic Arts as a guest director since 2020, directing several productions there. Whether directing, teaching, or performing, I strive to create an environment where artists feel inspired to take risks, grow, and connect with one another. I believe theater has the power to build community, spark dialogue, and remind us of our shared humanity. www.ioannakatsarou.com
Matt Marvilli
Matt Marvilli is a versatile creative professional with a deep background in dramatic arts and education. A 2019 Master of Fine Arts (MFA) graduate in Creative Writing from St. Francis College, Matt brings a wealth of experience in stage writing, screenwriting, acting, and directing.
His commitment to arts education is evidenced by his extensive work at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Academy, where he successfully directed the Drama, Creative Writing, and Oratorical clubs. Beyond his academic and professional achievements, Matt is an active member of the creative community, lending his talents as a drummer for a metal band.
Accolades & Expertise
* MFA in Creative Writing: St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights.
* Theatrical Composition: Experienced stage writer for the Troupers of SFC acting ensemble.
* Educational Leadership: Proven track record in youth arts programming, including drama, writing, and public speaking instruction.
* Multidisciplinary Artist: Skilled across stage and screen, with professional experience spanning writing, performance, and direction.
Efi Kitsanta
Efi Kitsanta is a professional actress, drama educator, and Greek philologist with international training and performance experience in Greece and New York City. She has trained at the Juilliard School, HB Studio, and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, and has appeared in theatrical productions on New York stages.
Drawing from this rich artistic background, Efi creates inspiring drama classes where children develop confidence, creativity, communication, collaboration, and emotional expression through improvisation, storytelling, movement, voice, and imaginative theater games. Her teaching combines the discipline of professional actor training with a joyful, encouraging atmosphere, allowing every child to feel safe, valued, and free to express themselves. The program culminates in a final performance that celebrates each student’s artistic growth and achievements.